Contrast-enhanced ultrasound: a new tool for imaging the superficial lymphatic vessels of the upper limb

BACKGROUND: Despite the new lymphatic imaging methods, there is still a need for a straightforward method of detecting lymphatic abnormalities. Our goal was to investigate the feasibility of applying a contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) procedure as a new approach for visualising the superficial lymphatic vessels of the upper limb. METHODS: Thirty healthy volunteers were examined with CEUS after bilateral intradermal injection of Sonazoid® contrast agent in distal antebrachium. We registered factors affecting intradermal injections, imaging of the superficial lymphatic vessels and the enhancement time of contrast agent reaching the levels of elbow and axilla. RESULTS: CEUS imaging of superficial lymphatic vessels was successful in 59 of 60 upper limbs (98.3%). Median [interquartile ranges] enhancement times of contrast agent to reach the elbow (right 18 s [11–25], left 15 s [12–25]) and axilla (right 77 s [33–118], left 66 s [42–115]) were equally fast. Successful intradermal injections were found to result in two types of contrast enhancement (strong or moderate), while the enhancement time depended on the type of the successful injection. No major differences in enhancement times were observed related to sex, body mass index, age, or side of the arm. CONCLUSIONS: The superficial lymphatic pathways of the upper limb can be visualised with CEUS imaging. Since enhancement time is dependent on the success of intradermal injections, one must pay attention to the injection technique. Further studies are needed to evaluate the method in patients with lymphatic function disorders such as breast cancer therapy related lymphoedema.